Synergistic breaking of composite key strata and energy evolution of the overburden under mining disturbances

Authors

WU Boqiang, CCTEG Xi’an Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710077, China; College of Water Resources and Hydro-electric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; State Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention and Ecology Protection in Open-pit Coal Mines, Xi’an 710077, China; Shaanxi Union Research Center of University and Enterprise for Mine Ecological Environment Protection and Restoration in the Middle of Yellow River Basin, Xi’an 710077, ChinaFollow
WANG Xiaodong, CCTEG Xi’an Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710077, China; State Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention and Ecology Protection in Open-pit Coal Mines, Xi’an 710077, China; Shaanxi Union Research Center of University and Enterprise for Mine Ecological Environment Protection and Restoration in the Middle of Yellow River Basin, Xi’an 710077, ChinaFollow
ZHU Shibin, CCTEG Xi’an Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710077, China; Shaanxi Union Research Center of University and Enterprise for Mine Ecological Environment Protection and Restoration in the Middle of Yellow River Basin, Xi’an 710077, China
XU Ganggang, CCTEG Xi’an Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710077, China; State Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention and Ecology Protection in Open-pit Coal Mines, Xi’an 710077, China; Shaanxi Union Research Center of University and Enterprise for Mine Ecological Environment Protection and Restoration in the Middle of Yellow River Basin, Xi’an 710077, China
ZHANG Yuehong, CCTEG Xi’an Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710077, China; Shaanxi Union Research Center of University and Enterprise for Mine Ecological Environment Protection and Restoration in the Middle of Yellow River Basin, Xi’an 710077, China

Abstract

Objective This study aims to explore the synergistic breaking responses and energy evolution mechanisms of composite key strata under mining disturbances. These efforts will provide robust theoretical support for the prevention and control of disaster-causing accidents in the surrounding rocks of coal seams and hold great significance for ensuring safe mining operations underground. Methods The breaking and instability characteristics of composite key strata under mining disturbances were analyzed by integrating physical simulation using similar materials, numerical calculation, and theoretical analysis. Accordingly, the accumulation and release patterns of strain energy and gravitational potential energy in the overburden were investigated. Finally, the energy evolution mechanisms of the overburden under the stimulation of key stratum breaking were elucidated.Results During the mining along the mining face with composite key strata, the breaking and movement processes of the lower and upper key strata are contained and influenced by each other, serving as the intrinsic cause of intense rock pressure behavior in coal seams of such mining face. Following the excavation of the mining face, the instantaneous breaking of the lower key stratum produces an instantaneous unloading effect on the upper key stratum. Meanwhile, the instantaneous breaking of the upper key stratum imposes a dynamic impact on the lower key stratum. These interactions result in different breaking modes of individual key strata under mining disturbances, i.e., cutting-induced and rotary instability, while the composite key strata undergo synergistic rotary instability and overall cutting-induced instability. These different breaking modes lead to significantly distinct energy accumulation and release characteristics of the overburden. Specifically, in the case where the lower key stratum undergoes rotary or cutting-induced instability, the overburden in the stope releases roughly the same elastic strain energy, while the gravitational potential energy released by the overburden under cutting-induced instability exceeds that under rotary instability. Consequently, low-frequency and high-energy microseismic events occur in the overburden. For the synergistic breaking of both key strata, the energy consumed by the coal seams and rocks equals the total energy released by both key strata, with the overburden releasing more gravitational potential energy than elastic strain energy. For the overall cutting-induced instability mode, the gravitational potential energy released by the overburden acts as the main source of energy consumed by the coal seams and rocks. The dynamic disturbance to the mining face under such a breaking mode is significantly more intense compared to the case of the breaking of individual key strata, leading to large and small periodic weighting in the mining face with composite key strata. Conclusions The intense rock pressure behavior in the mining face with composite key strata is essentially caused by the breaking with mutual feedback mechanisms of the upper and lower key strata. The prevention and control of disaster-inducing accidents in underground coal mines should focus on cutting off the energy superposition paths between the upper and lower key strata. Specifically, it is necessary to analyze and predict the breaking modes of key strata using means such as microseismic event monitoring and the monitoring of the working resistance of supports. Accordingly, differential and advance intervention measures should be adopted to shift from passive support into proactive energy control. The purpose is to prevent the concentrated release of the superimposed substantial gravitational potential energy and strain energy from the composite key strata, thereby fundamentally mitigating the intense dynamic disturbances induced by large and small periodic weighting.

Keywords

composite key strata, synergistic breaking, gravitational potential energy, strain energy, accumulation and release

DOI

10.12363/issn.1001-1986.25.08.0647

Recommended Citation

WU Boqiang, WANG Xiaodong, ZHU Shibin, et al. (2026) "Synergistic breaking of composite key strata and energy evolution of the overburden under mining disturbances," Coal Geology & Exploration: Vol. 54: Iss. 2, Article 5.
DOI: 10.12363/issn.1001-1986.25.08.0647
Available at: https://cge.researchcommons.org/journal/vol54/iss2/5

Reference

[1] 王双明. 对我国煤炭主体能源地位与绿色开采的思考[J]. 中国煤炭,2020,46(2):11−16

WANG Shuangming. Thoughts about the main energy status of coal and green mining in China[J]. China Coal,2020,46(2):11−16

[2] 中华人民共和国国家统计局. 国家数据[EB/OL]. https://data.stats.gov.cn/.

[3] 康红普,李全生,张玉军,等. 我国煤矿绿色开采与生态修复技术发展现状及展望[J]. 绿色矿山,2023,1(1):1−24

KANG Hongpu,LI Quansheng,ZHANG Yujun,et al. Development status and prospect of green mining and ecological restoration technology of coal mines in China[J]. Journal of Green Mine,2023,1(1):1−24

[4] 罗生虎,田程阳,闫壮壮,等. 结构瞬变激励下采场煤岩静态力学响应的阶变机理[J]. 煤炭学报,2025,50(11):5054−5067

LUO Shenghu,TIAN Chengyang,YAN Zhuangzhuang,et al. Step change mechanism of static mechanical response of coal–rock in stope under structural transient excitation[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2025,50(11):5054−5067

[5] 黄庆享,张东杰,韦业豪,等. 浅埋工作面过沟开采覆岩裂隙发育规律及来压机理[J]. 西安科技大学学报,2025,45(4):639−649

HUANG Qingxiang,ZHANG Dongjie,WEI Yehao,et al. Overburden fracture development law and weighting mechanism in shallow coal face gully–crossing mining[J]. Journal of Xi’an University of Science and Technology,2025,45(4):639−649

[6] 梁士昌,肖杰,金峰,等. 榆神深部高强度开采导水裂缝带发育特征[J]. 科学技术与工程,2025,25(32):13753−13760

LIANG Shichang,XIAO Jie,JIN Feng,et al. Water–conducting fracture zone characteristics of deep and high–intensity coal mining area of Yushen[J]. Science Technology and Engineering,2025,25(32):13753−13760

[7] 徐东,高明仕,郑锐. 同采工作面厚硬顶板破断诱冲机制及防控技术[J]. 岩土力学,2025,46(10):3219−3233

XU Dong,GAO Mingshi,ZHENG Rui. Mechanism and control technology of rock burst induced by thick and hard roof breaking in simultaneous mining working face[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics,2025,46(10):3219−3233

[8] 高保彬,王晓蕾,朱明礼,等. 复合顶板高瓦斯厚煤层综放工作面覆岩“两带”动态发育特征[J]. 岩石力学与工程学报,2012,31(增刊1):3444−3451

GAO Baobin,WANG Xiaolei,ZHU Mingli,et al. Dynamic development characteristics of two zones of overburden strata under conditions of compound roof,highly gassy and thick coal seam in full–mechanized top coal caving faces[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering,2012,31(Sup.1):3444−3451

[9] 王朋,李瑞,程志恒,等. 浅埋煤层开采覆岩“梯形”破断参数与裂隙演化分析[J]. 河南理工大学学报(自然科学版),2024,43(3):50−59

WANG Peng,LI Rui,CHENG Zhiheng,et al. Analysis of “trapezoid” fracture parameters and fracture evolution of overburden in shallow coal seam mining[J]. Journal of Henan Polytechnic University (Natural Science),2024,43(3):50−59

[10] 钱鸣高,许家林. 煤炭开采与岩层运动[J]. 煤炭学报,2019,44(4):973−984

QIAN Minggao,XU Jialin. Behaviors of strata movement in coal mining[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2019,44(4):973−984

[11] 宋振骐,蒋金泉. 煤矿岩层控制的研究重点与方向[J]. 岩石力学与工程学报,1996,15(2):128−134

SONG Zhenqi,JIANG Jinquan. The current research situation and developing orientation of strata control in coal mine[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering,1996,15(2):128−134

[12] 周海丰，黄庆享，贺雁鹏. 8. 8 m大采高综采工作面矿压规律[J]. 西安科技大学学报，2020，40(6)：981–987.

ZHOU Haifeng，HUANG Qingxiang，HE Yanpeng. Law of ground pressure in 8. 8 m large mining height fully on mechanized face[J]. Journal of Xi’an University of Science and Technology，2020，40(6)：981–987.

[13] 郭辉,赵国飞. 中厚煤层沿空掘巷围岩大、小结构稳定性分析及对策[J]. 煤炭技术,2015,34(9):79−81

GUO Hui,ZHAO Guofei. Countermeasure and stability analysis of big and small structures of rock surrounding gob–side entry driving in medium–thickness seam[J]. Coal Technology,2015,34(9):79−81

[14] 汪锋,陈绍杰,任梦梓,等. 松散层拱结构及其对采动覆岩稳定性的影响[J]. 中国矿业大学学报,2019,48(5):975−983

WANG Feng,CHEN Shaojie,REN Mengzi,et al. Effect of arch structure in unconsolidated layers on failure of the overlying strata[J]. Journal of China University of Mining & Technology,2019,48(5):975−983

[15] 蔺星宇,徐刚,高晓进,等. 超长工作面支架工作阻力分布及分区增阻特性研究[J]. 煤炭科学技术,2023,51(4):11−20

LIN Xingyu,XU Gang,GAO Xiaojin,et al. Study on working resistance distribution of support and resistance increasing characteristics of support partition in longwall face with ultra–large length[J]. Coal Science and Technology,2023,51(4):11−20

[16] 黄庆享,徐璟,杜君武. 浅埋煤层大采高工作面支架合理初撑力确定[J]. 采矿与安全工程学报,2019,36(3):491−496

HUANG Qingxiang,XU Jing,DU Junwu. Determination of support setting load of large–mining–height longwall face in shallow coal seam[J]. Journal of Mining and Safety Engineering,2019,36(3):491−496

[17] 刘畅,刘正和,张俊文,等. 工作面长度对覆岩空间结构演化及大采高采场矿压规律的影响[J]. 岩土力学,2018,39(2):691−698

LIU Chang,LIU Zhenghe,ZHANG Junwen,et al. Effect of mining face length on the evolution of spatial structure of overlying strata and the law of underground pressure in large mining height face[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics,2018,39(2):691−698

[18] 张志镇,高峰. 3种岩石能量演化特征的试验研究[J]. 中国矿业大学学报,2015,44(3):416−422

ZHANG Zhizhen,GAO Feng. Experimental investigations on energy evolution characteristics of coal,sandstone and granite during loading process[J]. Journal of China University of Mining & Technology,2015,44(3):416−422

[19] 谢和平,彭瑞东,鞠杨. 岩石变形破坏过程中的能量耗散分析[J]. 岩石力学与工程学报,2004,23(21):3565−3570

XIE Heping,PENG Ruidong,JU Yang. Energy dissipation of rock deformation and fracture[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering,2004,23(21):3565−3570

[20] 王猛,李志学,夏恩乐,等. 深部巷道围岩能量耗散与支护调控效应[J]. 采矿与安全工程学报,2022,39(4):741−749

WANG Meng,LI Zhixue,XIA Enle,et al. Energy dissipation and supporting regulation effect of surrounding rock in deep roadway[J]. Journal of Mining & Safety Engineering,2022,39(4):741−749

[21] 朱斯陶,姜福兴,王绪友,等. 特厚煤层掘进面围岩能量积聚特征及诱冲机制研究[J]. 岩土工程学报,2019,41(11):2071−2078

ZHU Sitao,JIANG Fuxing,WANG Xuyou,et al. Energy accumulation characteristics and rockburst mechanism of surrounding rock at heading face of extra–thick coal seam[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering,2019,41(11):2071−2078

[22] 杨军,魏庆龙,王亚军,等. 切顶卸压无煤柱自成巷顶板变形机制及控制对策研究[J]. 岩土力学,2020,41(3):989−998

YANG Jun,WEI Qinglong,WANG Yajun,et al. Roof deformation mechanism and control measures of pillarless mining with gob–side entry retaining by roof cutting and pressure relief[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics,2020,41(3):989−998

[23] 王家臣,许家林,杨胜利,等. 煤矿采场岩层运动与控制研究进展:纪念钱鸣高院士“砌体梁”理论40年[J]. 煤炭科学技术,2023,51(1):80−94

WANG Jiachen,XU Jialin,YANG Shengli,et al. Development of strata movement and its control in underground mining:In memory of 40 years of Voussoir Beam Theory proposed by Academician Minggao Qian[J]. Coal Science and Technology,2023,51(1):80−94

[24] 姜福兴. 采场覆岩空间结构观点及其应用研究[J]. 采矿与安全工程学报,2006,23(1):30−33

JIANG Fuxing. Viewpoint of spatial structures of overlying strata and its application in coal mine[J]. Journal of Mining & Safety Engineering,2006,23(1):30−33

[25] 张俊文,宋治祥,刘金亮,等. 煤矿深部开采冲击地压灾害结构调控技术架构[J]. 煤炭科学技术,2022,50(2):27−36

ZHANG Junwen,SONG Zhixiang,LIU Jinliang,et al. Architecture of structural regulation technology for rock burst disaster in deep mining of coal mine[J]. Coal Science and Technology,2022,50(2):27−36

[26] 罗生虎,高佳波,闫壮壮,等. 结构瞬变激励下覆岩应变能场和重力势能场的演变机理[J]. 煤炭学报,2025,50(2):768−780

LUO Shenghu,GAO Jiabo,YAN Zhuangzhuang,et al. Evolution mechanism of strain energy field and gravitational potential energy field of overlying rock under transient excitation of structure[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2025,50(2):768−780

[27] 彭雨杰,王强,曹安业,等. 特厚煤层掘进巷道冲击地压机理及影响因素[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2024,52(12):25−39

PENG Yujie,WANG Qiang,CAO Anye,et al. Mechanisms and influential factors of rock bursts in tunneling roadways of extra–thick coal seams[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2024,52(12):25−39

[28] 刘文超,赵毅鑫,郭继鸿. 新街矿区厚硬顶板条件邻空巷道冲击地压机理与控制[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2024,52(10):153−165

LIU Wenchao,ZHAO Yixin,GUO Jihong. Mechanisms and control of rock bursts in goaf–side roadways under the condition of thick and hard roofs in the Xinjie mining area,Inner Mongolia[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2024,52(10):153−165

[29] 邓树新,王明洋,李杰,等. 冲击扰动下滑移型岩爆的模拟试验及机理探讨[J]. 岩土工程学报,2020,42(12):2215−2221

DENG Shuxin,WANG Mingyang,LI Jie,et al. Mechanism and simulation experiment of slip–type rock bursts triggered by impact disturbances[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering,2020,42(12):2215−2221

[30] 贺虎,窦林名,巩思园,等. 覆岩关键层运动诱发冲击的规律研究[J]. 岩土工程学报,2010,32(8):1260−1265

HE Hu,DOU Linming,GONG Siyuan,et al. Rock burst rules induced by cracking of overlying key stratum[J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering,2010,32(8):1260−1265

[31] 钱鸣高，石平五，许家林. 矿山压力与岩层控制(第2版)[M]. 徐州：中国矿业大学出版社，2010.

[32] 杨本生，张磊. 覆岩关键层位置的快速判别及来压预测[J]. 煤炭工程，2013，45(7)：79–81.

[33] 郑凯歌,袁亮,张平松,等. 复合关键层厚硬顶板诱冲机制与防治技术模式[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2024,52(10):14−24

ZHENG Kaige,YUAN Liang,ZHANG Pingsong,et al. Rock bursts induced by thick–hard roof with compound key strata:Mechanisms and technical modes for prevention[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2024,52(10):14−24

[34] 张有乾. 考虑层间剪切特性复合顶板失稳机理及控制[D]. 徐州：中国矿业大学，2015.

ZHANG Youqian. Instability and control mechanism of layered compound roof in consideration of shear behavior of bedding plane[D]. Xuzhou：China University of Mining and Technology，2015.

[35] 张涛然，晁晓洁，郭丽红. 材料力学[M]. 重庆：重庆大学出版社，2018.

[36] 龙驭球. 弹性地基梁的计算[M]. 北京：人民教育出版社，1981.

[37] 董云峰，崔亚平. 理论力学(第2版)[M]. 北京：清华大学出版社，2010.